*And if the Astros aren't interested in giving a draft pick to the Rangers should they sign Gallardo, Buster Olney says that free agent pitcher Doug Fister has received multiple 1-2-year offers.

Fister had a down year in 2015, ultimately losing his starting job in the Nationals' rotation and only striking out five batters per nine innings to go along with a career high in ERA/FIP/xFIP. I could see a scenario in which the Astros sign Fister to a short-term deal and let Brent Strom take a crack at him to see if Fister can regain his prior form.

*Morgan Ensberg is the perfect mindset coach. Ensberg:I've always been a guy that has had empathy for the players and managers, and I realize that obviously so much data-driven information is being used, and so we're putting players in situations that they don't feel comfortable. Baseball is so hard, and to ask a player to do something that's even more difficult than what they're used to adds even another level of anxiety. I'm there to kind of mentor them and be there for them as they go through these scary times.

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Established in 2008, Astros County is your friendly neighborhood blog & grill. We are the Protectors of the Legacy of Dickie Thon, Defenders of the Honor of J.R. Richard, and Anti-American League. Orlando Palmeiro Was Safe.